WHO pledges to support Zambia's fight against cancer

The World Health Organization says it will continue supporting Zambia in improving cancer prevention and control programs, the Times of Zambia reported on Friday.

WHO director for Zambia Jacob Mafunda said this was in line with the global action plan on non-communicable diseases, adding that the organization's role was to support the development and implementation of national cancer policies and programs by setting standards, promoting surveillance and encouraging evidence-based prevention.

"Non-communicable diseases like cancer can be prevented by avoiding major risk factors like being overweight, low fruit and vegetable intake and tobacco and alcohol. Reducing cancer is not beyond us and I call upon everybody to avoid the risk factors by adopting healthy lifestyles and going for regular checkups," he was quoted as saying by the paper during the commemoration of World Cancer Day in northern Zambia's Kasama town.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Davy Chikatama said during the same occasion that the prevalence of cancer disease has been rising in Zambia turning into a major health concern.

According to Ministry of Health figures, overall cancer incidence in Zambia in 2012 was 9,953 per 100,000 while mortality was 7,521 deaths per 100,000, with the most common cancers being cervical, prostate, breast and Kaposi's sarcoma. Endi